The Very Best

~ Release by Ray Charles (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1▼Medium
#TitleLength
1Georgia on My Mind
producer:
Sid Feller
bass guitar:
Edgar Willis (on 1960-03-25)
drums (drum set):
Milton Turner (on 1960-03-25)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1960-03-25)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1960-03-25)
arranger:
Ralph Burns
recorded at:
Capitol Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1960-03-25)
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1960 (number: 16), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (number: 44) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 283)
cover recording of:
Georgia on My Mind (on 1960-03-25)
anthem of:
Georgia, United States (from 1979 to present)
lyricist:
Stuart Gorrell (in 1930)
composer:
Hoagy Carmichael (in 1930)
publisher:
Peer International Corporation, Peermusic III, Ltd., Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd. (from 1930 to present) and Southern Music Publishing Co., Inc. (from 1930 to present)
sub-publisher:
ピアーミュージック
arrangement of:
Georgia on My Mind (Solo piano arrangement)
3:39
2I Got a Woman
recorded in:
Atlanta, Georgia, United States (on 1954-11-18)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone:
David “Fathead” Newman (on 1954-11-18)
bass:
Jimmy Bell (on 1954-11-18)
drums (drum set):
Glenn Brooks (on 1954-11-18)
guitar:
Wesley Jackson (on 1954-11-18)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1954-11-18)
solo tenor saxophone:
Donald Wilkerson (on 1954-11-18)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1954-11-18) and Charles "Clanky" Whitley (on 1954-11-18)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1954-11-18)
arranger:
Ray Charles
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock
recording of:
I Got a Woman (on 1954-11-18)
writer:
Ray Charles and Renald Richard
publisher:
Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd., Mijac Music, Progressive Music Pub. Co., Unichappell Music, Unichappell Music, Inc., Warner Chappell Music Ltd., Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Warner/Chappell
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
2:51
3Swanee River Rock
cover recording of:
Swanee River Rock
writer:
Ray Charles and Stephen Foster
composer:
[unknown]
publisher:
Unichappell Music, Inc.
2:20
4Lonely Avenue
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Emmott Dennis (on 1956-05-16)
bass:
Roosevelt "Whiskey" Sheffield (on 1956-05-16)
drums (drum set):
William Peeples (on 1956-05-16)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1956-05-16)
solo tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (on 1956-05-16)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1956-05-16) and John Hunt (on 1956-05-16)
background vocals:
The Cookies (on 1956-05-16)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1956-05-16)
arranger:
Ray Charles
recorded at:
Capitol Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-05-16)
recording of:
Lonely Avenue (on 1956-05-16)
lyricist and composer:
Doc Pomus
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Great Moments in Music LLC, Pomus Songs Inc., Progressive Music, Spirit One Music, Unichappell Music, Inc., ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
2:36
5Hallelujah I Love Her So
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Cecil Payne (on 1955-11-30)
double bass [bass]:
Paul West (on 1955-11-30)
drums (drum set):
David "Panama" Francis (on 1955-11-30)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1955-11-30)
solo tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Donald Wilkerson (on 1955-11-30)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1955-11-30) and Joshua "Jack" Willis (on 1955-11-30)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1955-11-30)
arranger:
Ray Charles
recorded at:
Capitol Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1955-11-30)
part of:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock
recording of:
Hallelujah, I Love Her So (on 1955-11-30)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Hill and Range Songs, Inc., Progressive Music, Unichappell Music and Unichappell Music, Inc.
2:36
6Shake a Tailfeather
bass guitar:
Donald “Duck” Dunn
drums (drum set):
Willie "Too Big" Hall
guitar:
Steve Cropper and Matt Murphy
keyboard:
Murphy Dunne
saxophone:
Tom “Bones” Malone and Lou Marini
trumpet:
Al Rubin
background vocals:
Elwood J. Blues and Jake E. “Joliet” Blues
lead vocals:
Ray Charles
performer:
Blues Brothers
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Atlantic Recording Corporation (in 1992) and WEA International Inc. (in 1992)
cover recording of:
Shake a Tail Feather
writer:
Andre Williams, Otha Hayes and Verlie Rice
publisher:
Edward Kassner Music Co. Ltd., Spirit One Music and Vapac Music Publishing Inc.
2:48
7Mess Around
producer:
Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Dave McRae (on 1953-05-17)
double bass [bass]:
Lloyd Trotman (on 1953-05-17)
drums (drum set):
Connie Kay (on 1953-05-17)
guitar:
MacHouston "Mickey" Baker (on 1953-05-17)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1953-05-17)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Sam "The Man" Taylor (on 1953-05-17)
trumpet:
Jesse Drakes (on 1953-05-17)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1953-05-17) and Renald Richard (on 1953-05-17)
arranger:
Jesse Stone
recorded at:
Atlantic Studios in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1953-05-17)
recording of:
Mess Around (on 1953-05-17)
writer:
Ahmet Ertegun
publisher:
Progressive Music, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
2:41
8Drown in My Own Tears
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Cecil Payne (on 1955-11-30)
double bass [bass]:
Paul West (on 1955-11-30)
drums (drum set):
David "Panama" Francis (on 1955-11-30)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1955-11-30)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Donald Wilkerson (on 1955-11-30)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1955-11-30) and Joshua "Jack" Willis (on 1955-11-30)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1955-11-30)
arranger:
Ray Charles
recorded at:
Capitol Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1955-11-30)
cover recording of:
Drown in My Own Tears (on 1955-11-30)
lyricist and composer:
Henry Glover
publisher:
Fort Knox Music Inc., Jay & Cee, Jay and Cee Music Corp., Jaycee Music and Trio Music Co., Inc.
3:21
9This Little Girl of Mine
recorded in:
Miami, Florida, United States (on 1955-04-23)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
alto saxophone and baritone saxophone:
David Newman (on 1955-04-23)
double bass [bass]:
Roosevelt Sheffield (on 1955-04-23)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
William Peeples (on 1955-04-23)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1955-04-23)
tenor saxophone:
Don Wilkerson (on 1955-04-23)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1955-04-23) and Riley Webb (on 1955-04-23)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1955-04-23)
recording of:
This Little Girl of Mine (on 1955-04-23)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles
2:32
10Yes Indeed
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1958-02-20)
baritone saxophone:
Emmett Dennis (on 1958-02-20)
bass:
Edgar Willis (on 1958-02-20)
drums (drum set):
Richie Goldberg (on 1958-02-20)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1958-02-20)
saxophone:
David Newman (on 1958-02-20)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1958-02-20) and Lee Harper (on 1958-02-20)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1958-02-20) and The Raelettes (on 1958-02-20)
cover recording of:
Yes Indeed (on 1958-02-20)
lyricist and composer:
Sy Oliver
cover recording of:
Yes Indeed
composer:
Sy Oliver
2:16
11What'd I Say
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Bennie "Hank" Crawford (on 1959-02-18)
bass:
Edgar Willis (on 1959-02-18)
drums (drum set):
Milt Turner (on 1959-02-18)
electric piano:
Ray Charles (on 1959-02-18)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (on 1959-02-18)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1959-02-18)
background vocals:
The Raelettes (on 1959-02-18)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1959-02-18)
arranger:
Ray Charles
part of:
Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (number: 10) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 80)
recording of:
What’d I Say (on 1959-02-18)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Mijac Music, MUAC Music, Progressive Music, Unichappell Music, Inc. and Warner–Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
6:30
12Early in the Morning
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1958-10-28)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone:
Bennie Crawford (on 1958-10-28)
bass:
Edgar Willis (on 1958-10-28)
drums (drum set):
Teagle Fleming (on 1958-10-28)
organ and piano:
Ray Charles (on 1958-10-28)
tenor saxophone:
David Newman (on 1958-10-28)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1958-10-28) and John Hunt (on 1958-10-28)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1958-10-28)
cover recording of:
Early in the Morning (on 1958-10-28)
writer:
Dallas Bartley, Leo Hickman and Louis Jordan
publisher:
Cherio Corp.
2:47
13Leave My Woman Alone
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1956-05-16)
baritone saxophone:
Emmett Dennis (on 1956-05-16)
bass:
Roosevelt Sheffield (on 1956-05-16)
drums (drum set):
William Peeples (on 1956-05-16)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1956-05-16)
saxophone:
David Newman (on 1956-05-16)
trumpet:
Joe Bridgewater (on 1956-05-16) and John Hunt (on 1956-05-16)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1956-05-16)
performer:
The Cookies (on 1956-05-16)
recording of:
Leave My Woman Alone (on 1956-05-16)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles
2:40
14The Right Time
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun, Leiber and Stoller and Jerry Wexler
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Bennie "Hank" Crawford (on 1958-10-28)
bass:
Edgar Willis (on 1958-10-28)
drums (drum set):
Milt Turner (on 1958-10-28)
electric piano:
Ray Charles (on 1958-10-28)
solo alto saxophone [alto sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (on 1958-10-28)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1958-10-28) and Lee "Ricky" Harper" (on 1958-10-28)
background vocals:
The Raelettes (on 1958-10-28)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1958-10-28) and Margie Hendrix (on 1958-10-28)
arranger:
Ray Charles
recorded at:
Atlantic Studios in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1958-10-28)
cover recording of:
Night Time Is the Right Time (on 1958-10-28)
composer:
Lew Herman
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd., Planemar Music, Screen Gems–EMI Music Ltd. and Tro-Essex Music
3:29
15I Believe to My Soul
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1959-06-26)
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
bass:
Edgar Willis (on 1959-06-26)
drums (drum set):
Teagle Fleming (on 1959-06-26)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1959-06-26)
saxophone [alto, baritone sax]:
Bennie Crawford (on 1959-06-26)
tenor saxophone:
David Newman (on 1959-06-26)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (on 1959-06-26) and John Hunt (on 1959-06-26)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1959-06-26)
recording of:
I Believe to My Soul (on 1959-06-26)
lyricist and composer:
Ray Charles
publisher:
Carlin Music Corporation, Hill and Range Songs, Inc. and Unichappell Music, Inc.
3:02
16I'm Moving On
cover recording of:
I’m Moving On
lyricist and composer:
Hank Snow
publisher:
Hill and Range Songs, Inc. and Unichappell Music, Inc.
2:22
17Unchain My Heart
producer:
Sid Feller
alto saxophone [alto sax]:
Bennie "Hank" Crawford (on 1961-07-05)
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Leroy "Hog" Cooper (on 1961-07-05)
bass:
Edgar Willis (on 1961-07-05)
drums (drum set):
Edward "Bruno" Carr (on 1961-07-05)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1961-07-05)
solo tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
David “Fathead” Newman (on 1961-07-05)
trumpet:
Phillip Guilbeau (on 1961-07-05) and John Hunt (on 1961-07-05)
background vocals:
The Raelettes (on 1961-07-05)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1961-07-05)
arranger:
Ray Charles
recorded at:
Bell Sound Studios in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-07-05)
cover recording of:
Unchain My Heart (on 1961-07-05)
lyricist and composer:
Bobby Sharp
writer:
Teddy Powell
publisher:
Copyright Control and B Sharp Music (in 1987)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
2:50
18Let the Good Times Roll
producer:
Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
alto saxophone:
Marshall Royal (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
flute and saxophone:
Frank Wess (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
piano:
Ray Charles (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
tenor saxophone:
Paul Gonsalves (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), David “Fathead” Newman (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23) and Zoot Sims (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23) and Melba Liston (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
trumpet:
Marcus Belgrave (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), Joe Newman (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), Ernie Royal (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23), Clark Terry (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23) and Snookie Young (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
vocals:
Ray Charles (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
arranger:
Quincy Jones
recorded at:
6 West Recording in New York, New York, United States (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
cover recording of:
Let the Good Times Roll (from 1959-05-06 until 1959-06-23)
writer:
Fleecie Moore (in 1946) and Sam Theard (in 1946)
publisher:
Rytvoc, Inc., Theard Swanson Publishing and Warock Corp.
sub-publisher:
Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. and ヤマハミュージックEH(CM)
2:52
19Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
producer:
Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler
bass:
Wendell Marshall (on 1959-05-06)
drums (drum set):
Ted Sommers (on 1959-05-06)
guitar:
Allen Hanlon (on 1959-05-06)
piano:
Ray Charles (on 1959-05-06)
valve trombone:
Bob Brookmeyer (on 1959-05-06)
background vocals:
[unknown] (on 1959-05-06)
vocals:
Ray Charles (on 1959-05-06)
arranger:
Ralph Burns
recorded at:
6 West Recording in New York, New York, United States (on 1959-05-06) and Atlantic Studios in Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York, United States (on 1959-05-06)
cover recording of:
Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’ (on 1959-05-06)
lyricist and composer:
Joe Greene
publisher:
Northern Music and Universal Music Corp.
3:46